Biblical "Valley of Hyenas" Location Debated Near New West Bank Settlement

A recent visit to the new settlement outpost of "Ma'oz Tzur" in western Benjamin has brought renewed attention to the biblical "Valley of Hyenas" (Hebrew: "גי הצבועים", Arabic: "Wadi al-Zabaa"). This area, situated between the Palestinian villages of Deir Ibzi and Ma'oz Tzur, is identified by researchers as the biblical location mentioned in the Book of Samuel.

In 1 Samuel 13:18, one of three Philistine leaders heading towards the land of Israel is described as taking a route "toward the border overlooking the Valley of Hyenas in the wilderness." For generations, scholars have proposed two main locations for this valley. The eastern identification links it to Wadi Abu al-Zabaa, a tributary of Nahal Prat in the Judean Desert. The western identification, which aligns with the area of the new settlement, is supported by a passage in Nehemiah 11:34, which lists the Benjaminite towns, including "Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat." The geographical locations of Hadid and Neballat are well-established in the Modi'in region, strengthening the argument for the western identification of the Valley of Hyenas being in this vicinity.

Further evidence comes from the Mishnah, which mentions "people of Mount Zeboim" bringing their first fruits, suggesting a settlement in a warm climate. While this could support the eastern identification, the proximity of Hadid, Zeboim, and Neballat in the western area provides a strong geographical argument for the latter. The author notes that another identification for Zeboim exists at Khirbet Baida, east of the Modi'in industrial zone.

The visit to Ma'oz Tzur highlights how ancient biblical names continue to be preserved in the landscape of Israel, even thousands of years after they were first written. The author, Yisrael Shapira, is a historian and senior lecturer specializing in the Land of Israel.